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NEW MEMBERS WAPPA would like to welcome the following members, who have joined our association in the last fortnight:
- Fiona Byrne, Millars Well PS
- Vanessa Potter, Cooinda PS
- Sue Mikkelsen-Taylor, Ardross PS
- Briony Brown, Wellard Village PS
- Carolyn Gribble, Mt Magnet DHS
- Beth Harman, Dunsborough PS
We look forward to providing you with the Support, Advocacy, Leadership Development and Connection for which WAPPA is renowned. Likewise, we welcome your voice to the ongoing discussion around primary education and school leadership, through the numerous avenues provided to our members.
ACU SCHOOL LEADER HEALTH & WELLBEING SURVEY Last week, Ordinary Members will have received an email regarding the ACU School Leader Health and Wellbeing Survey. Our data shows that over 96% of you (1054 members) opened and read that email, so we would encourage that same number to complete the survey. This is the 13th year this survey has been conducted and the data has been used extensively by WAPPA, AGPPA and APPA, to advocate in the areas of school leader health and wellbeing, resourcing, workload and work related demands and expectations. Data from this survey will be made available early in 2024. The survey can be completed by principals and deputy principals. Detailed information can be accessed here.
BOARD ELECTIONS This week members will have received an email regarding the election nomination process for WAPPA Board positions for 2024-2026 positions. Please make sure you take the time to read all of the requirements of nominating for the WAPPA Board and if you require any further information, contact Marni Hill, at the Business Centre.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Our AGM will be held on Monday 6 November 2023. As per the constitution Part 6, 54 Proposal of Motions, we are asking our members to send any proposed agenda items, to the Business Centre, to be received 28 days prior to the AGM. Click on this link to view a Full copy of the constitution
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THE VOICE TO PARLIAMENT Over the course of the year there have been numerous System Alliance Meetings (Corporate Executive and all education related associations and unions), in which time has been dedicated to discussing The Voice to Parliament. These conversations have been robust and have delved into the impact and implications on our schools, staff, students and community members. Of course, at the heart of all of these stakeholders is you, the school leader. At times you may feel unsure how to manage complex situations in the lead up to the referendum including:
- Conversations and opinions shared on site between to staff/student, staff/staff, or staff/community.
- Union business in relation to various unions' Yes campaigns.
- The use of the school site for people to 'promote' personal or political viewpoints.
As Department employees, all staff have a responsibility to create culturally safe work and learning environments. That responsibility is underpinned by the Department’s Code of Conduct. As school leaders, your role is to ensure the presence of respectful discussions and interactions between all members of the school community.
Our strongest advice to you, is to contact us for a confidential conversation if you need to discuss any specific situations within your school community. Let us help you to accurately navigate your concerns and provide targeted support for any scenarios you might be faced with.
WAPPA BOARD MEETING This week the WAPPA Board met for a full day. Discussions focussed largely on a number of new initiatives, that place increased workload and demands on school leaders. The WAPPA Board all share ongoing concerns for how new initiatives will be rolled out and managed in our schools, when there appears to be minimal support for school leaders in this space. These discussions focussed around:
- Implications for the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- Implications for the recently announced Respectful Relationships initiative
- Implications for an ever changing early years landscape across the nation
The WAPPA Board don't downplay the importance of these issues within the context of our primary schools, but do remain concerned that nothing appears to 'make way' for the introduction of new initiatives. Central to our concerns, is the fact that the issue placing the greatest strain on our school leaders is the ongoing implications of supporting students with complex needs and all that accompanies those requirements for students, staff and the wider school community. Whilst support for leaders in this area is limited, all new initiatives that schools are being asked to consider and implement, only appear to add workload and stress for leaders. We continue to make these points known at a system level.
SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS At the WAPPA Conference, Minister Buti spoke about the challenges in this area and his interest to pursue the trial of a 'needs based' model of funding in our schools, rather than a medical based model. This is WAPPA's highest position in our Position Paper and it is something we will continue to advocate for and work with the Department and Minister, in order to establish a trial within our schools.
Earlier this year, you may recall that WAPPA made a submission to the WA Parliamentary Inquiry into Support for Autistic Children in Schools. This week WAPPA was contacted by the Inquiry Committee, inviting us to present more detailed information at the Inquiry's Public Hearing next term. At this hearing we will continue to highlight the challenges being faced by school leaders in relation to funding models, access to support, wait times for support and implications for the wider school community. |
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WAPPA Professional Learning & Events
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Register and save this date: Thursday 5 October 2023
Teams, Trust and School Culture
WAPPA Aspirant Members and non members are invited to attend our last Aspirant Workshop of the year.
We will engage you with stories and examples and have you learning some tips and tricks to develop trust, teams and culture in your school. Register today |
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Register and save this date: Tuesday 17 October 2023 This is the last Making the Leap to Deputy Principal PL for 2023. If you have been thinking of attending, now is the time to book your place. If you are aspiring to school leadership (or know of someone who is) this program will help you understand the leadership skills required and help you to begin the planning process to make the leap into this fulfilling and exciting career.
- Examine the role of Deputy Principal
- Explore the research and theory of role transition
- Identify the skills, knowledge and experience required and so much more
Register today |
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